Austin news

• Do you know these men? APD seeks jewelry store robbers

  29-11-2017 23:28 via kxan.com
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Two men armed with a handgun robbed an Austin jewelry store Saturday and police are asking for your help identifying the robbers.
  Austin police say the hooded duo walked into TJ Jewelry — located at 6031 N. Interstate 35, next to the North I-35 and US 290 flyover — just before 5 p.m. Saturday. They flashed a gun and ran off with jewelry.
  Suspect #1 is described as:
  Black male
  Approx. 20-25 years of age
  Approx. 6’0”
  Approx. 180 lbs.
  Black hooded sweat
  
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• Students claim editorial posted in Texas State University newspaper is racist

  29-11-2017 22:20 via kxan.com
  SAN MARCOS, Texas (KXAN) – An article published in the Texas State University student-run newspaper is creating quite a buzz on campus and online. Many are calling the opinion piece, titled “Your DNA is an abomination,” blatant racism.
  The author, Rudy Martinez, starts the article by saying he has only met a dozen white people he would consider “decent.” He continues by touching on white privilege and how white people don’t have to worry when pulled over by po
  
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• Editorial in Texas State student newspaper condemned as ‘racist’

  29-11-2017 22:20 via kxan.com
  SAN MARCOS, Texas (KXAN) – An article published in the Texas State University student-run newspaper is creating quite a buzz on campus and online. Many are calling the opinion piece, titled “Your DNA is an abomination,” blatant racism.
  The author, Rudy Martinez, starts the article by saying he has only met a dozen white people he would consider “decent.” He continues by touching on white privilege and how white people don’t have to worry when pulled over by po
  
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• Union: Many AA flights in December lack scheduled pilots

  29-11-2017 22:05 via kxan.com
  DALLAS (AP) — American Airlines is scrambling to find pilots to operate thousands of flights over the busy Christmas holiday period after a glitch in the system used to schedule crews.
  A spokesman for the airline said Wednesday that American expects to avoid canceling flights by paying overtime and using reserve pilots.
  American isn’t saying how many flights are affected, but the pilots’ union says that about 15,000 flights were scheduled without a captain, a co-pilot or both.
  
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• Politics in the pews: Congress weighs allowing churches to campaign

  29-11-2017 21:46 via kxan.com
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — The Senate is expected to vote on a nationwide tax reform bill this week and senators are weighing whether to include a measure to allow churches, charities and other non-profits to directly get involved in political races.
  Repealing the Johnson Amendment, which bans direct electioneering by tax-exempt churches, could be part of the measure that goes to President Donald Trump’s desk.
  The U.S. House of Representatives already approved a similar measure; however, the id
  
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• WATCH: California Senator pays up after losing World Series bet to Ted Cruz

  29-11-2017 20:42 via kxan.com
  WASHINGTON, D.C. (KXAN/NBC) — It may have been four weeks since the Houston Astros’ win at the World Series, but some are still celebrating — including U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz.
  Cruz and a senator from California, Kamala Harris, made a friendly wager on the outcome of the game, and on Wednesday Harris held up her end of the deal.
  “This is a painful moment for me,” Harris said, laughing.
  “Here I am, congratulations!” she said as she walked into his office weari
  
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• Austin music venue to be sold on eBay starting at $1

  29-11-2017 19:55 via kxan.com
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — An Austin music venue will soon be up for sale — but it’s not a traditional buying process. The Parish will be listed in a 10-day, online eBay auction with a starting bid of $1.
  The Auction begins Friday, Dec. 1, at noon and ends Dec. 10 at noon for the property at 214 E. Sixth St. It’s on the second floor of a historic building and can hold up to 425 guests. It also has two bars and the option to include the venue’s current Texas Alcoholic Beve
  
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• Boyfriend gets 50 years in 2016 slaying of Texas A&M student

  29-11-2017 19:54 via kxan.com
  BRYAN, Texas (AP) — A man living near Austin must serve 50 years in prison for the 2016 fatal shooting of his girlfriend who attended Texas A&M University and was slain at her off-campus apartment.
  Victor Manuel Garcia-Loyo of Del Valle (VAL’-ee) was sentenced Wednesday in Bryan. Brazos (BRAZ’-uhs) County Assistant District Attorney Jessica Escue (ES’-kyoo) says the 23-year-old Garcia-Loyo on Monday pleaded guilty to murder in a plea deal.
  The case involves the Septem
  
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• Texas asks for $90M to delay CHIP end

  29-11-2017 19:52 via kxan.com
  AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — Texas Gov. Greg Abbott’s administration is asking for $90 million more in federal funding in hopes of delaying sending health insurance cancellation notices to nearly half a million children. The Dallas Morning News reports that Texas will end its Children’s Health Insurance Program on Jan. 31 unless it gets such funding. The state would send notices about the program’s termination to affected families days before Christmas.
  The state Health and Human
  
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• Man accused of stealing 13 beer kegs from southwest Austin brewery

  29-11-2017 19:30 via kxan.com
  AUSTIN (KXAN) —  A man is accused of stealing 13 beer kegs from a southwest Austin brewery and restaurant in June.
  The general manager of North By Northwest Restaurant & Brewery at 5701 W. Slaughter Lane told police June 27 that someone took the empty aluminum kegs from behind the business. The area was fenced in but the metal gate was broken at the time.
  Surveillance video showed the man taking the kegs around 6:18 a.m. It also captured images of his vehicle, which was a suspect
  
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• 2 teens killed in street racing crash identified

  29-11-2017 18:55 via kxan.com
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — The two teens killed in a fiery crash along Riverside Drive Saturday have been identified by Austin Police.
  Police say Anderson Palma-Rodriguez racing another vehicle in his four-door Honda when he lost control and struck a billboard post. The car then burst into fire.
  Both Palma-Rodriguez, 19, and his passenger, Brianna Moreno, 18, died at the scene.
  Police are asking anyone with information about the crash to call the APD Vehicular Homicide Unit Detectives at (512) 9
  
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• City’s Ford Explorers returning to streets

  29-11-2017 18:38 via kxan.com
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — The first batch of Ford Explorers has returned to Austin’s streets, the city announced Wednesday. Forty-four of the city’s 439 explorers have been repaired by Ford to address carbon monoxide concerns.
  The city continues to send Explorers to local Ford dealerships for repairs. The process to return all 439 Explorers back to regular use is expected to take months.
  “As the repaired vehicles come back to the department we will work out how to re-deploy th
  
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• Garrison Keillor says he was fired over alleged improper behavior

  29-11-2017 18:37 via kxan.com
  MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Garrison Keillor, the former host of “A Prairie Home Companion,” said Wednesday he has been fired by Minnesota Public Radio over allegations of improper behavior.Keillor told The Associated Press of his firing in an email. In a follow-up statement, he said he was fired over “a story that I think is more interesting and more complicated than the version MPR heard.” He didn’t give details of the allegation.
  Minnesota Public Radio didn’t
  
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• Flaw in Apple operating system lets anyone access a computer

  29-11-2017 17:55 via kxan.com
  UPDATE: Apple has released a fix for the vulnerability: https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT208315
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Apple’s newest operating system has a major bug that could let anyone access a computer.
  Security researchers first found the flaw which lets people log on without using a password. All they have to do is type “root” in the username field without a password. It only works with the “High Sierra” operating system version.
  Apple is working to fix
  
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• Texas death row inmate set to die next month gets reprieve

  29-11-2017 17:40 via kxan.com
  HUNTSVILLE, Texas (AP) — A 36-year-old Texas prisoner set for execution next month for a robbery-slaying in San Antonio 14 years ago has won a reprieve.
  The Texas Court of Criminal Appeals has sent Juan Castillo’s appeal back to his Bexar County trial court to review arguments from defense attorneys that a witness presented false testimony at Castillo’s 2005 trial.
  Castillo was set for lethal injection Dec. 14 for the December 2003 fatal shooting of 19-year-old Tommy Garcia Jr.
  
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• City leaders put a hold on plans for a new and improved Backyard

  29-11-2017 17:31 via kxan.com
  BEE CAVE, Texas (KXAN) — A major development is now facing major delays in Bee Cave. Plans to revamp The Backyard have been put on hold, as Bee Cave city council members insist they won’t let the project’s developer move forward without providing two entrance and exit points for the venue.
  City leaders originally approved revamping the music venue on the condition that its developer, Chris Milam, would provide access to both Bee Cave Parkway and Texas State Highway 71 from the
  
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• Charges dropped against mom who sent a recording device to school

  29-11-2017 16:45 via kxan.com
  NORFOLK, Va. (WAVY) — Charges have been dropped against the Norfolk mother who put a digital audio recorder in her daughter’s backpack. The Norfolk Commonwealth’s Attorney’s Office says it asked the judge to dismiss all charges after the office had a chance to thoroughly review the case.
  KXAN sister station WAVY first reported last week that Sarah Sims was charged with felony use of device to intercept oral communication and misdemeanor contributing to
  
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• Texas Supreme Court Justice, local assistant band director save the life of Austin father

  29-11-2017 16:04 via kxan.com
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Add the title “hero” to Texas Supreme Court Justice Don Willett and Gorzycki Middle School Assistant Band Director Herson De La Garza. Both men saved the life of an Austin father Tuesday afternoon.
  De La Garza tells KXAN News he was waiting for his food at the Chick-Fil-A in southwest Austin off MoPac and U.S. 290. He says he noticed a man dinning with his daughter suddenly grab his throat and show signs of choking.
  “I could see his daughter looking straig
  
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• Wells Branch law enforcement push uncovers prostitution operations, credit card skimmers

  29-11-2017 15:38 via kxan.com
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Following a six-week, multi-agency initiative to track and curb crime in the Wells Branch area, law enforcement say the rates of some serious crimes are declining.
  The Travis County Sheriff’s Office,  Williamson County law enforcement, Pflugerville Police, Austin Police and the Department of Public Safety all collaborated in this effort and presented the results of their initiative at a packed community meeting Monday.
  Thomas Yusran who lives in Wells Branch 
  
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• Homeless Good Samaritan to get house, dream truck, trust funds

  29-11-2017 15:14 via kxan.com
  PHILADELPHIA (AP) — A New Jersey woman who got roadside aid from a homeless man in Philadelphia has raised more than $385,000 for him — enough to buy a home and his dream truck and provide him with a small annual salary.
  Kate McClure said on a GoFundMe page she set up that an attorney and financial adviser helped 34-year-old Johnny Bobbitt Jr. come up with the plan.
  McClure, of Florence Township, ran out of gas on an Interstate 95 exit ramp late one night in Philadelphia. Bobbitt wal
  
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• Man who posed as Justin Bieber to entice girls sentenced

  29-11-2017 15:00 via kxan.com
  HARTFORD, Conn. (AP) — A Connecticut man who pretended to be pop stars like Justin Bieber and Harry Styles to entice young girls into performing sexual acts during online video chats has been sentenced to 17 years in prison.
  Federal prosecutors say 50-year-old John Eastman, of Waterbury, was also sentenced Tuesday to a lifetime of probation.
  Prosecutors say Eastman contacted girls through online video chatting services in 2012 using screen names such as justin.bieber727 and Harry.Styles888
  
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• Matt Lauer responds after firing for alleged ‘inappropriate sexual behavior’

  29-11-2017 13:14 via kxan.com
  NEW YORK CITY (KXAN) — Matt Lauer, co-anchor of NBC’s Today Show, has been fired for allegations of inappropriate workplace behavior. In a statement released Thursday, he said
  “There are no words to express my sorrow and regret for the pain I have caused others by words and actions,” Lauer wrote. “To the people I have hurt, I am truly sorry. As I am writing this I realize the depth of the damage and disappointment I have left behind at home and at NBC.”
  Lauer
  
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• Matt Lauer fired from the Today Show after allegations of ‘inappropriate sexual behavior’

  29-11-2017 13:14 via kxan.com
  NEW YORK CITY (KXAN) — Matt Lauer, co-anchor of NBC’s Today Show, has been fired for allegations of inappropriate workplace behavior.
  Just after 6 a.m. Today Show co-anchors Savannah Guthrie and Hoda Kotb announced NBC News Chairman Andy Lack sent a note announcing that Lauer would no longer work there.
  “On Monday night we received a detailed complaint from a colleague about inappropriate sexual behavior in the workplace by Matt Lauer,” the letter stated. “It repres
  
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• Matt Lauer fired after allegations of ‘inappropriate sexual behavior’

  29-11-2017 13:14 via kxan.com
  NEW YORK CITY (KXAN) — Matt Lauer, co-anchor of NBC’s Today Show, has been fired for allegations of inappropriate workplace behavior.
  The network reported the “inappropriate sexual behavior” involved a network employee and began when both were assigned to cover the 2014 Olympics in Sochi.
  Just after 6 a.m. Today Show co-anchors Savannah Guthrie and Hoda Kotb announced NBC News Chairman Andy Lack sent a note announcing that Lauer would no longer work there.
  “On Monda
  
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• Could taxpayer-funded cancer research end in Texas?

  29-11-2017 12:58 via kxan.com
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — A big debate on how state tax money is spent to fund cancer research heads to UT Dell Medical School Wednesday, after accusations that millions of dollars was mismanaged. Sen. Kirk Watson and officials from CPRIT and UT researchers will talk about whether funding should continue for the Cancer Prevention Research Institute of Texas.
  In 2007, voters approved $3 billion in funding for CPRIT. The first grants were handed out in 2009 with funding coming to an end in 2022. Dr. J
  
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• Nevada high-rise suspected gunman dead, hostage safe

  29-11-2017 12:38 via kxan.com
  RENO, Nevada (AP) — A gunman with a hostage opened fire from the eighth floor of a luxury high-rise condominium in Nevada onto the streets below, authorities said. No injuries were reported.
  The man died Tuesday after a SWAT team descended on him while he was barricaded at the Montage, Reno police Deputy Chief Tom Robinson told reporters. It wasn’t immediately clear whether he was killed by police gunfire or his own. No one else, including the hostage, was hurt.
  The gunman’s na
  
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• KXAN tours Austin’s soon-to-be tallest building

  29-11-2017 06:24 via kxan.com
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Developers say construction on Austin’s soon-to-be tallest building is right on schedule. The Independent is slated to be the tallest residential structure west of the Mississippi River once it’s completed in 2019.
  High-rise living isn’t for everyone or for every budget, but there’s no denying there’s a real demand for it. Several cranes are towering over downtown Austin right now as crews work to complete tall residential buildings.
  The Indepe
  
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• Inside the next building to forever change Austin’s skyline

  29-11-2017 06:24 via kxan.com
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Developers say construction on Austin’s soon-to-be tallest building is right on schedule. The Independent is slated to be the tallest residential structure west of the Mississippi River once it’s completed in 2019.
  High-rise living isn’t for everyone or for every budget, but there’s no denying there’s a real demand for it. Several cranes are towering over downtown Austin right now as crews work to complete tall residential buildings.
  The Indepe
  
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• Local medical cannabis company names grow room after state lawmaker

  29-11-2017 04:45 via kxan.com
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — A local licensed medical cannabis company honored the state lawmaker who helped make their business a possibility.
  Compassionate Cultivation in Manchaca presented a plaque to State Rep. Stephanie Klick, R-Fort Worth.
  They even named one of their vegetation rooms in her honor.
  Rep. Klick and the Epilepsy Foundation of Texas worked to pass the law allowing for the drug to be used to treat epilepsy patients.
  Donna Stahlhut, with the foundation, said, “They have been
  
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• McCallum runs toward UIL 3rd round

  29-11-2017 03:20 via kxan.com
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — High school football playoffs move into the third round this weekend, the McCallum Knights are carrying the torch for AISD and what a season its been, perfect through 12 games as they get ready to play in the Alamodome Saturday vs. Alice.
  McCallum is making the most of its senior-laden team and the success is built on the simplest of football principles.
  “I’m kind of old school like that and the easiest way to get your players the ball is just to hand it to them
  
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• Austin and Georgetown mayors talk renewable impacts and climate change

  29-11-2017 02:36 via kxan.com
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Austin Mayor, Steve Adler and Georgetown Mayor Dale Ross discussed how each city has been taking on renewables and the overall economic impacts from “going green,” Tuesday afternoon. This was just one part of a panel discussion held at the “The Business of Green: An Atlantic Forum” in Austin.
  As many may recall, Georgetown recently became one of the first cities in the country to be powered by 100 percent renewable energy. However, they continue to h
  
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• With swing of a gavel, 28 Central Texas kids get adoptions granted

  29-11-2017 01:56 via kxan.com
  BASTROP, Texas (KXAN) — Seventeen Central Texas families grew on Tuesday, with the finalization of adoption paperwork allowing 28 kids to officially find their forever homes.
  The Texas Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS) wrapped up National Adoption Month by hosting a series of Special Adoption Days across the state.
  “We want to make it a big event for the families to know that all their hard work paid off, and find some happy endings,” DFPS Adoption Supervisor
  
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• PHOTOS: Man vandalizes newly-opened Austin Central Library

  29-11-2017 01:08 via kxan.com
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — A vandalism suspect racked up $1,178 in damages when he spray painted the cafe windows of the newly opened Austin Central Library last month.
  The APD Graffiti Unit is asking for the public’s help identifying the suspect caught on surveillance camera at 10:33 p.m. on Oct. 28, the same day the library opened.
  The graffiti appeared to say “F— love,” accompanied by a crossed-out heart. “What would bring someone to put this message out there in
  
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• Is your child’s route to school dangerous? Here’s how to let city know

  29-11-2017 01:00 via kxan.com
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Cycling is Alex Hendrex’s choice of commute to and from his teaching job at Kealing Middle School in east Austin.
  Along with teaching, he runs the school’s bike club. “Our bike rack usually has several bikes over there filled with students riding to school,” says Hendrex.
  Hendrex believes more students and teachers would cruise on two-wheels to the classroom if the roads were safer. “Personally I’ve seen the growth in cycling in
  
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• ‘Every second counts’: Search continues for missing North Carolina girl

  29-11-2017 00:22 via kxan.com
  JACKSONVILLE, N.C. (WNCT) — In a news conference Tuesday afternoon, officials provided little new information regarding the search for a missing 3-year-old girl in Jacksonville.
  Mariah Woods is the subject of an Amber Alert after she was reported missing from her home on Dawson Cabin Road Monday.
  In the conference, Onslow County Sheriff Hans Miller said details of the investigation will remain confidential at this time, but he said they are accepting any tips from the community.
  &ldqu
  
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• Northbound Interstate 35 in New Braunfels shut down after fiery semi crash

  29-11-2017 00:01 via kxan.com
  NEW BRAUNFELS, Texas (KXAN) — Northbound Interstate 35 in New Braunfels is expected to remain closed for most of Tuesday evening following a fiery crash involving an 18-wheeler hauling large bales of cotton.
  Part of southbound I-35 was briefly closed as well, creating a major traffic jam for Central Texas drivers. The crash happened in the Rueckle Road to Solms Road area — just southwest of town — according to New Braunfels police.
  Find a detour with the KXAN Traffic Map
  First
  
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• Interstate 35 in New Braunfels reopened after fiery semi crash

  29-11-2017 00:01 via kxan.com
  NEW BRAUNFELS, Texas (KXAN) — Northbound Interstate 35 in New Braunfels was closed for hours Tuesday evening following a fiery crash involving an 18-wheeler hauling large bales of cotton.
  Part of southbound I-35 was briefly closed as well, creating a major traffic jam for Central Texas drivers. The crash happened in the Rueckle Road to Solms Road area — just southwest of town — according to New Braunfels police.
  Find a detour with the KXAN Traffic Map
  First responders and TxDOT
  
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